Alginate as Support Material in Enzyme Immobilization

Abstract

AbstractDespite the extensive application of enzymes in various industries, their instability and non-reusability cause to their limitation. The immobilization of enzymes can be used as a remedy for these limitations. However, supports and immobilization methods affect the activity and stability of enzymes. Here, the effects of alginate support on immobilized enzymes are investigated. Alginate is an unbranched heterogeneous copolymer comprised of 1,4′-linked β-d-Mannuronic acid (M) and α-l-Guluronic acid (G) residues. Enzyme immobilization on alginate support can improve their stability and increase their reusability significantly. Enzymes entrapment through the alginate and its derivatives is an effective method for immobilization. Availability, biocompatibility, resistance against microbial contamination, non-toxicity, and low price, make it an ideal candidate. Green alginate synthesized nanoparticles, and their combination with other materials (organic/inorganic) have introduced a variety of new applications in drug delivery. Moreover, directed immobilization methods, directed mutagenesis-based methods, and the methods based on recombinant fusion protein technology have paved the way for new strategies for the attachment of enzymes on some supports based on alginate for various pharmaceutical and industrial applications.KeywordsAlginateSupport materialEnzyme immobilizationDrug delivery